The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-01-01
MY CONVERSION TO UNIyERSALISM
The Early History of the Faith in Northern
ohio-Reminiscences of Forty-Three Years
Ago.
BY REV. STEPHEN HULL.
kansas City, Mo-

More than fifty years ago the HUI
family, of which the writer is a mem.
Der, babe adieu to old Stockbridge, Mass.
and located in Lorain county, O., which
is twenty-five miles west of the beauti.
full city OF Cleveland. at that date il
was firmly believed that if parents were
really converted and faithful to theil
trust in training up their children in
the nurture and admonition of the Lord
all would be included in the covenant
of grace, and get a through ticket tC
the heavenly kingdom. My father and
mother were rigid Calvinists, but we
never could see our way clearly to adopt
this faith, though, doubtless, we had
our full share of prejudice in its favor;
but, young as we were, we asked oul
good parents many troublesome ques-
tions about the creed, which created
much solicitude for our spiritual well
fare.
In reply to these questions, it was
said, 'that reason was carnal and could
not be trusted, and that truth was a
holy mystery" Irecollect being called
upon to sit up and watch with sick
fellow student; he was said to be a
Universalist; this was wonderful tax
upon my courage. Never did pass a
more fearful night. And why? Was
this student bold blasphemer, vile
outcast ? Nay, a more noble, upright
man God never made. He was just
and honest in his dealings, true and
faithful to his word, charitable to the
needy, and we'll wisher of all-but he
did not believe in the common idea of
hell; and if visit had been paid me
from the internal regions during the
silent watches of the night, for this
office of love in attending this poor sick
hereto, who had no rights that we were
bound to respect, we should not have
been disappointed, though there is not
soul in that region of country that has
a particle of faith in that hell to-day.
Alas, he died, and few, from a sense
of duty, followed him to his last resting
place, but no tears were shed, no one to
exclaim, Behold, how he loved himl'
His pure spotless life gave him no credit
in the eyes of heaven.
And was not this all in perfect keep
ing with duty? Are we not commanded
to be perfect as God is perfect? Queen
Mary said, when rebuked for her cruelty,
''It is consistent for me to initiate the
God l worship he will burn heretics
hereafter, will commence the work
here on earth"
But travelling down the valley of
years, we see new heaven and a new
earth. Our ears are saluted with the
keynote of that anthem which begins
and ends with the truths of all truths:
"Glory to God in the highest, and on
earth peace and good will to man." That
charity that thlnketh no evil is spread
ing far and wide, dissOlving the chains
of sectarianism, uniting heart to heart
and mind to mind in kindlier and
warmer sympathies, and binding us to-
gether in the great bundle of life. To
day humanity would have won the vic
tory, cold hearts would have been
warmed into sympathy, and that lonely
grave, far removed from kindred, would
have been walled around with loving
hearts.
Such is the blighting, whitening slav-
cry of religious bigOtry. know it for l
have felt its chains, and from the bot
tom Of my heart 1 pity those in like
condition, and pray God that the angel
of the everlasting covenant may sing to
them one of the sweet songs of Zion;